BTN - Behind The News

By ABC Radio

BTN is bringing you the news, with high-energy daily updates for kids of all ages. Each episode is a collection of the big, breaking, and just plain weird stories of the day, told in simple language, with no boring stuff. They’re perfect for the classroom and on the drive home from school.

It's the final episode of the BTN pod! I'm not crying, you're crying. But we wouldn't leave without filling you in on the biggest and best news of the day! A new report's been released looking into what we want from our friends and from our social media platforms. World leaders sit down to dinner at a big summit in Japan and our Prime Minister even gets a special mention. The 100th anniversary of an agreement that changed the world for better or worse. And some people in the US are trying to set a new world record with a big bit of meat and an equally large bun.

The next generation of super fast internet is speeding its way to Australia, but we might want to watch our data more closely. It might be chilly here, but humans and animals in Europe are sweltering through a heatwave. How do you clean up a messy mountain? The world's tallest one has some poo and rubbish problems that need addressing. A very popular movie starting with 'A' has now beat another very popular movie starting with 'A' to become the highest earning movie of all time (technically). And Darwin is looking for a new home for a very large, very iconic, very extinct member of its community.

If you're a school student in Victoria, you might have to start locking your phone up during school hours! We'll fill you in on the public school phone ban plan. According to a new report robots are taking over the world, or at least they're taking over quite a few of our jobs including mine. A new puzzling world record set by an upside down student in Georgia. And an escaped "lion" at a Japanese zoo is giving keepers the run around.

Do you pay attention to the health star rating on some food packaging? Look closer because it could be about to change. A Cosmonaut, a Flight Engineer and an Astronaut walk into a space shuttle and land safely back on earth after hundreds of days way up there. Scientists catch a mysterious creature on camera in the waters around Southern America for the very first time. And some très hairy men in Paris show off their well-groomed beards.

Sometimes our phones can be a little distracting (understatement of the year) and that's why a school in NSW is testing some tricky new tech to force students to go phone free. The Barty Party is on again as everyone's favourite Aussie women's tennis player hits world number one! This adorable marine mammal will have you singing the Star Wars theme in your head, because scientists have taught it to carry a tune or two. And the World's Ugliest Dog - need we say more?

Happy Friday! We're talking about gaming addiction after the creators of two of the most popular games in the world were quizzed by the UK government. How do you help two whales move to a new home in another country? Well, it involves a big tank and a big plane. A ten-year-old climber has just scaled one of the most challenging peaks in the world. And some cheeky sailors are having a spa day in Finland.

A social media giant is planning to create its own currency and we're not talking about the stuff you can hold in your hands. Superheroes usually prefer to fly under the radar, but instead they've been winning awards in the US. Would you pay to eat leftovers? There's a new app in Europe linking hungry customers with un-sellable food. We get a glimpse into the possible future of air travel and it doesn't involve petrol. And speaking of the future - meet the robotic cop that's policing the streets of Southern California. Not kidding.

Researchers are predicting what Australia's future will look like and it might involve robots. Some different behaviour at the footy on the weekend had fans speaking out. A primary school in the UK is banning words to help kids improve their vocabularies, including one that's a go-to sentence filler. And someone accidentally whacks a filter on some very important people in Pakistan.

What's it like when your whole country loses power? Some South Americans found out on the weekend. While a tree kangaroo might sound like a joke you tell a tourist, it's a real thing and it's struggling with a mysterious health issue. Forget equestrian, this is a horse riding competition for the make-believers. If you've ever wanted to live like a superhero or a movie star, there's a house that kind of covers both bases in the US. And a very rare crustacean is saved from being served on someone's dinner plate.

It was Matildas madness last night after the Aussie team pulled off a magnificent comeback at the World Cup. Scientists uncover the well preserved head of an ancient animal in the icy fields of Siberia. A man in Syria is brightening people's days with a colourful wardrobe... well, just one colour actually. Where did the zebra get his stripes? Not sure, but scientists have decided they serve a very cool purpose. And a famous Parisian painter celebrates her 50th − Nénette the orangutan.

Have you seen a weird video with Facebook's boss talking about stealing people's data and ruling the world? Yeah, it's not real but it's been tricking the world. One of the most famous rockbands in history doesn't negotiate with blackmailers. Meet my little alien friend Gary and find out why he's harder to find than scientists first thought. Melbournites can look forward to a new flying taxi service soon (this is not fake news, we promise). And why it might be a good idea to keep your hands on the fallen hairs of famous people.

Gaming geeks, rejoice! A big event is delivering gaming gifts to the world including announcements about new consoles and streaming services and a dog that has nothing to do with gaming, but it's completely adorable. Canadians, ay? They're the latest to ban single use plastic and their Prime Minister explains why. If you're a fan of all things sporty, then you might like the news about some schools wanting to double your PE time. And a sport that you won't be doing at school, because it involves office chairs moving backwards and a big bag of rice. Makes sense? It doesn't have to.

Tennis fans are celebrating the first Australian woman to win the French Open in waaaay too many decades. Speaking of celebrations, it's the Queen's Birthday! Well, not really. But it's a public holiday for a lot of Australians that we call the Queen's Birthday. Just go with it, OK? A holiday destination that's out of this world and how you could get there in 2020 if you're very, VERY rich. And one of the world's most leisurely sports gets some fast-paced new rules in the UK.

Chill out, dog owners! You're stressing out your pups (science says). A trip to a circus where elephants, horses and fish perform, but don't even exist. A team of European artists build a massive record-breaking castle that'll soon wash away. And weather experts in the US were left a bit confused after a storm cloud turned out to be something alive and moving.

The State Of Origin kicks off a national debate; FBI release documents from an investigation into Big Foot; Miners in WA struck gold; A cat causes a minor security threat to US President Donald Trump; And a man wins the lotto with the help of a fortune cookie

A 1,500 year old Scottish monster mystery may have been solved by scientists in New Zealand. An Aussie miner makes a smashing discovery while looking for opals. We find out how two of the richest musicians in the business made their massive fortunes. And a Perth man is a bit shell shocked after accidentally picking up a deadly creature at the beach.

People around the world mark the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre; It's snowing in parts of southern Queensland; Farmers have started adopting feral Camels; And The annual baby race in Lithuania.

All the buzz around eight young spelling whizzes that can't be beaten, even by each other. A very pretty eruption in a very scenic part of Italy. Tens of thousands of super fans celebrate their champion team in the Champions League. Some height challenged hounds dash to the finish line in a four legged frenzy in Tassie. And a very large creature that you hope to never encounter in your kitchen... or anywhere really.

The world learns more about the life of a famous teenager who spent years in a hidden annex. Accio, wand! It's time for a new instalment of magical musings from everyone's favourite school of witchcraft and wizardry. Some little creatures are being safeguarded against lightning striking twice. And who let the genie out of the bottle? Both literally and figuratively speaking.

There's a shipping container full of rubbish with Australia's name on it. How do you move a million dollar mural? With great difficulty, apparently. A billion dollar update to a very famous theme park is sending Stormtroopers running. And don't try to pack these in your suitcase the next time you go on holiday or you'll be in for a sting.

Greta's back to fight climate change with the help of a very famous action movie friend. A super fancy bubblegum ring sells for a fortune in Hong Kong. A fancy dress party in France is taking guests back in time. And a very excited race car driver is really milking his win for all its worth.

Trouble on the tallest mountain in the world is making people re-think who should be allowed to climb it. From up high to down low - it's a dare-devil expedition that links two of Australia's deepest caves. Tens of thousands of kids have to re-sit THAT test. A story about toe strength and another about runaway cheese together prove that British people really can be a bit eccentric.

There's been a mysterious rise in CFC levels which is bad news for the ozone layer, The worlds biggest election has just wrapped up, A snake gives birth to babies - despite never meeting a male snake, And Rihanna launches her new fashion label

A major fashion brand makes a major change. Some scientists are having a whale of a time collecting some snotty samples. Turns out we've all been getting a very important person's name wrong. And the grossest story ever that Amelia doesn't want to read.

An e-Sports argument is sending the internet into meltdown. A sea creature gets a life-saving blood transfusion. The strangest, most slippery tradition you'll ever hear about. And a very confusing house is turning things upside down in the UK.

A tech company accused of espionage gets pay-back, American style. People in the Northern Territory get woken up by a big giant stomping on the ceiling. A mystery man shuts down the Eiffel Tower. And some unbearably bad drivers take over a parked car.

There was a little contest on the weekend you might've heard about... Eurovision! Just jokes, it was Australia's federal election. Oh, and we'll also fill you in on Eurovision. What's worse than running a marathon? Running a marathon that involves more than 5,000 steps, of course! And we say goodbye to the world's grumpiest pussycat. Sad face.

Everyone's remembering an Aussie great that you can thank for at least one very important right you have today. Find shelter! Voting madness is set to hit Australia tomorrow, taking over schools and halls everywhere. A very small, unpopular game you might've heard of turns 10 (just jokes, you'll know it and probably love it). And an interesting item that looks like it sounds sells for a record breaking price.

Paris is celebrating the birth of one of its most famous monuments with a whole lot of kids! Meanwhile, Paris is also thinking of ways to rebuild another of its most famous monuments and the internet isn't exactly helping. Closer to home, a zoo in Radelaide has made a big announcement about a little surprise, and some cheeky creatures are stopping traffic in Brisbane.

A paparazzo gets revenge on one of the world's biggest pop stars. Some super frustrating tech issues that you might have experienced this week. Could we soon witness the first woman on the moon? All the stars, swings and shrieks at the start of Eurovision. And something you will reeeeaaally wish you found on your walk to school this morning.

Would you prefer to go to the moon and back or to the bottom of the ocean? Well, luckily we've got both for you in today's pod! A US explorer goes where no man has gone before, while some precious space rocks are finally being studied after decades in the freezer. We find out why you might want to update one of your apps. And why a slippery slide isn't the best solution to a commuting problem.

Is your pet a sentient being? The ACT thinks it might be and is acting accordingly. All I want is a home among the... umm... rocks on Mars. A volcanic eruption rocks Ecuador. And some princes and princesses in New Zealand are taking everyone by surprise, including their parents.

You might want to step away from the console for a minute, because the World Health Organisation has just added a surprising new disease to its list. Attention, pollies! New stuff is happening in Canberra. A really bizarre competition in Europe will have you, and any wild deer in your area, listening very closely. And some cheerfully creepy characters come out to play in the streets of South America.

The new super popular app that could get hijacked by cyber bullies. An embarrassing typo you might just find in your pocket. A new teeny weeny species of dinosaur that flew. A school struggling with bird poop. And another school that's solved its problems with a few sheep.

All hail the brand new baby-with-no-name who now has a name. We find out what you think about a plan to swap canteen food for fast food. That winning Premier League goal that everyone's talking about. And a fluffy new police recruit is melting hearts in the US.

*Cough cough* It's flu season and it's looking like a big, bad sniffly one, The Brits go footloose and coal free for five days, New movies announced in a galaxy far, far away, The humble chicken nugget gets a cool new look.

Britain goes bonkers over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new arrival, Some unfortunate news for our planet and a few tips to make it better, Celebs get their sparkles, feathers and candelabras out for the Met Ball, And meet the T-Rex's much smaller, less scary cousin.

So, hedgehogs do have teeth. But they look nothing like the human-esque teeth animators have created for the Sonic in the upcoming movie he stars in. People aren't keen on his weirdly long legs, either... Also on the pod today, we chat to some kids who are getting ready to start fasting for the holy month of Ramadan. We're also finding out about the good old days of animatronics, and asking ourselves exactly what constitutes a "nurse" outfit.

The guy in the Chewbacca suit - AKA Peter Mayhew - has died, and he's being remembered as a great guy who did an awesome job at bringing the gentle giant to life. Also on the pod today, Aussie kids take to the streets to call for more action on climate change in the lead-up to next month's big election, the makers of Pokemon Go want you to have a go at their new Harry Potter-themed AR creation, a popstar and the Lady Of Winterfell are married by the king of rock'n'roll, and a wireless earbud that survived a perilous journey.

So you wanna be a K-Pop star. Join the queue! Turns out there's about a million people with their eyes on the same prize! Today on the pod, we discuss what it takes. We're also finding out why we need to keep hippos around, discovering the answer to the age-old question about the location of the famed Sesame Street, and shaking our heads at the suspicious object that stopped traffic in Chicago this week...

Birds are arguably the planet's original music makers. Their songs have been around far longer than human tunes. So it seems fair enough that a chorus of musical birds has landed a spot on the UK charts. Also on the pod today, do you think being able to see how many likes photos on Instagram have could be affecting your mental health? The bosses do, so they're trialling a new version of Instagram that takes the likes out of the equation. We're also chasing the fastest teenager on earth (a pointless task if ever there was one) and learning about the one country in the world that still has an emperor.

Some Norwegians have found a suspicious beluga whale. But how can a whale be suspicious, I hear you ask? When it's got a harness designed to fit a camera strapped to its back is how. Also on the pod today, we found out about how you're contributing to a crisis just by sitting quietly in your chair, Pooh's forest home burns down, and our leaders go head to head ahead of the big day in May (that's the election, by the way).

Avengers: End Game breaks every movie record you can think of in its opening week, why Big Ben shouldn't really be running the London Marathon, Tay Tay's back back with a record-breaking single that the lovers gonna love, while some burglars really #fail at pulling a swifty.

Antarctica has a problem... there aren't enough baby penguins! Now scientists are trying to figure out a way to save them. Also on the pod today, the new Fortnite mode that's got gamers excited, a giant hollowed-out potato that more a-peeling than you might think, and a blind dog gets a helpful little pal.

Here in the land down under, a mozzie bite is generally nothing to stress about. But in Africa, it can be life threatening. That's because of a disease called malaria... but now there's a vaccine for it. Also on the pod today, Aussies get up early for ANZAC dawn services, a TikTok ban in India comes to an abrupt end, and Lego announces a new range of blocks with braille.

Earthquakes happen on Mars too! Who woulda thunk it? Well, they should really be called "marsquakes", and they happen even though the red planet doesn't have the tectonic plates we've got here on earth. Also on the pod today, some exciting news about Australia's biggest lake, the tense lead-up to the first Fortnite World Cup, and a set of brand new words is added to the dictionary.

For a lot of people in Sri Lanka, Easter was not the peaceful, relaxing time it should have been. There were a series of terrorist attacks across the country, and police have arrested at least 40 people. In the pod today, we chat about what happened, and how to deal with upsetting news like this. But it's not all doom and gloom, we're also meeting an Aussie girl who's just had a prosthetic hand made for her! Believe it or not, it's made out of shampoo bottles. I'll also tell you the crazy story of how life imitated art for Ukraine's new president, and about the guy who lost a bet with AFL legend Eddie Betts.

It's nearly Easter! Gear up for chocolate overload. Ever wondered why we eat hot cross buns at this time of year? All will be revealed. Also on the pod today, Australia's tallest tree survives a natural disaster, Beyonce surprises her fans with a big double whammy release, and a one-of-a-kind online auction that you'd be crazy to ignore... if you were a dino-crazy billionaire...

Do you have pet? Rebecca has about 600 of them right now... and as you can imagine, it's pretty chaotic! Also on the pod today, the precious relics saved from the Notre Dame fire, why people seem to think the rapper Drake might be ~cursed~, and the soggy doggy that was found paddling a long way from home.

A tiny heart, made of human cells. It's 3D printing on a whole new flesh-and-blood level. Also on the pod today, the famous French cathedral that fell victim to a terrible fire, an Aussie surfing comp that's getting serious about equal pay for men and women, and the evidence I've always wanted about the cleanliness of beards.

A ten year old Olympian, a 16 year old pilot on the solo adventure of a lifetime... young people can do amazing things! Today the pod is full of them. We're also checking out the widest plane ever to grace our skies, and a 99 year old who's showing the world it's never too late to start learning.

More than a century go, they were hunted out of Europe. Now wolves are back, and they're getting a mixed welcome. Also on the pod today, why Julian Assange is back in the headlines, a spectacular moon-landing fail, and a six year old who knows how to spin discs.

It's a big day for astronomers! They've managed to snap the first ever photo of a real-life black hole. Also on the pod today, we finally have a date locked in for the election (and it happens to coincide with the world's biggest singing contest). We're checking out which clothing labels get the ethical tick of approval, wincing through a real life horror story, and recovering with the heartwarming tale of Rocky the doggo.

Aussie accents are hard enough to find on Aussie televisions... let alone TVs overseas! But the creators of the hit show Bluey are setting out to change that. Also on the pod today, we meet a teenager facing a tough choice - which flag he'll fly beside his name at the Olympics. We also dig up an Egyptian tomb, and bop along to Billie Eilish's record-breaking album.

If you don't know Blackpink, allow me to introduce you. They're a K-Pop group making waves in the music scene, and breaking YouTube records along the way. Also on the pod today, why are our pollies obsessed with electric cars all of a sudden? Clue: it has everything to do with the election. We're also cheering on teenage surfer Caroline Marks as she pulls in some serious prize money, learning about the beach weeds you can actually eat, and being thoroughly entertained by the peeps in the US pushing pet-store policy to the limit.

What do you do when your classmates are hungry? Feed them! One Aussie kid shows us how it's done. Also on the pod today, Tik Tok lands itself in hot water (again), a disease we thought we said goodbye to forever pops in to say hello, and the big group of vegans who made some Melburnians late for work this morning.

A bunch of clever professionals who've been busy designing the aqua-cities of the future. They look pretty awesome! Also, how do you feel about your mum or dad knowing exactly where you are at any given time... down to the exact coordinates? Today on the pod, we hear your thoughts about that. There's also a big investigation into the disability sector happening (which has been a long time coming for some people) and a royal with some controversial ideas about one of the world's biggest online games.

Cats. They're adorable, but there are way too many of them roaming about in the wild. On the pod, we learn a bit about strays on World Stray Day. We also meet a 6 year old surfer who's planning to make some serious waves in the sport, suss out a couple of celebs who are new to Instagram, and learn how to win a sleepover with the Mona Lisa herself.

The budget's been announced, and there's plenty of stuff to sift through. Also on the pod today, why NASA's grumpy with India's space agency, the AFLW player who's managed to win pretty much every award under the sun, and the kid who'd had enough of his bumpy neighbourhood and decided to do something about it.

Sam's 11 years old and already running his own business! He also has autism, so on World Autism Awareness Day, we found out a bit about his life. Also on the pod today, a massive fossil find that's got scientists pretty excited, the lonely frog that's finally found his one true love, and a creative new way to rid yourself of mozzie bites.

Ah, April Fools Day! One of the hardest news days on the calendar for us journalists, trying to sift through the news and figure out what's true... hope we got it right today! Also on the pod today, the world switching off for Earth Hour, Greta Thunberg taking a short break from her environmental protesting to accept an award (that celebrates her environmental protesting, of course), a record turn-out for the AFLW, and a burger that almost made it to space!

Freediving in water covered in a layer of thick ice. It's like going for a swim, except uncomfortable and terrifying. Some people can't get enough of it! Also on the pod today, we ask you what you reckon about your parents posting photos of you on their socials. Should they ask you first? We're also finding out about the job that requires you not to get out of bed in the morning, and the beach that kept attracting cats... lots and lots of cats...

It's been a while since us humans paid the moon a visit... but we could be popping in sooner than you think. Also on the pod today, we make sense of the dollars you'll be earning one day. Is the minimum wage enough for a comfy existence? We'll find out why some eggs are being hastily un-stacked from supermarket shelves, and learn about the fast food joint that's trying to pull off a pretty serious re-branding move.

A kookaburra in a cage is a strange sight indeed... especially if that cage is on the other side of the world! Also on the pod today, we find out about the movement to ditch daylight saving, a cancelled space-walk, an unusual high school theatre production that's proving to be a big hit.

Justin Bieber goes somewhere, everyone wants to go there. It's how the world works. But it's not a good arrangement for Iceland's pristine wilderness... Also today, we have a peek at the dark side of online gaming, plant some baby corals that have been trained to be tough, learn how not to go about getting a pet orangutan, and hear about a plane trip that went totally smoothly... except for one thing...

Turns out you're not the only one getting in trouble for eating in class! Even the Canadian Prime Minister has his naughty moments. Also on the pod today, how some kids are managing to get some schoolwork done even in the midst of a cyclone shutdown, the winner of the NSW election, and the dreamy cruise that turned into a nightmare.

A woman who's more than a century old was arrested this week... and even weirder than that... she's fine with it! On the pod today we're also catching up on the latest with the Aussie cyclones, finding out which country is the world's happiest, and shaking our heads at one AFL players seriously bad luck.

It's one of my favourite days on the calendar, World Poetry Day! And that's as good an excuse as any to speak in rhyming couplets. On the pod today, we suss what's happening with Cyclone Trevor, hear what some of you guys have to say about living in multicultural Australia, find out how Ariana got permission to create a song that's a lot like one that already exists, give BTS fans something to smile about, and try to rank doggos by how good they are... an impossible task if I ever did hear one!

It's a great picture of an Aussie footy star kicking a ball, but internet trolls like to ruin nice things. Today on the pod we take a look at how people have dealt with the hate. Also today, the New Zealand PM pays a visit to some schoolkids, a new tech setup that could totally change the way we play video games, and the mystery of the tidy shed is solved.

Turns out koala claws can do a lot of damage to car interiors... who knew?? Also on the pod today, we find out how cyclones get weird human-sounding names like Trevor. We also learn about the first guy ever to run the New York Half Marathon with his guide dog, and find out what a rich guy with a strange hobby just spent two million dollars on.

There's some really sad news from New Zealand that you might have heard about. A mosque was attacked and people died. Today we chat about that, and about how to deal with upsetting news. Also on the pod today, two sisters who were so close, they were literally joined at the hip! They've just had life-changing surgery. We take a look into why St Patrick's Day exists, and hear what happened to a man who tried to smuggle some turtley awesome new pets into Europe.

Tens of thousands of kids skipped school today in the name of climate change. We hear what they have to say. We also have a chat about... cheese! Apparently it tastes different depending on what kind of music it's listening to. We find out about some wild weather in Sydney, and a goat who somehow landed himself a human job. Quite a prestigious one, too.

PewDiePie and T Series are battling it out for the most YouTube subscribers... and fans are getting involved in the effort! Also on the pod today, the return of a horrible disease that's meant to have been wiped out already, why today was a hard day to be social online, and what happened when one town ordered WAY too much toilet paper.

Looking for a new look? How about shaving your head... or dying your hair bright blue? That's what lots of Aussies are getting up to for the World's Greatest Shave! Also on the pod today, the Brexit mess that's proving very difficult to clean up, a soccer star who's officially become an Aussie, the sad story of single-use plastic, and the lady who convinced a plane to turn around when she left something kinda important at the airport.

An emu in Adelaide woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning... and a zookeeper paid the price! Also on the pod today, the little black box that could tell us more about what happened to the plane that crashed in Ethopia, the World Wide Web turns 30, Captain Marvel goes marvellously (but what else would you expect?) and the boy who can solve a rubiks cube with no hands.

It's Canberra Day! Do you know why it's the capital of Oz? All will be revealed in today's pod! Also in today's ep, we learn about a plane that crashed on its way to Nairobi, find out who the oldest person in the world is, and get a lesson about Italian food.

Happy International Women's Day! To celebrate we've got some good news about girls and STEM, and some kick-ass females who are teaming up to do the first all-woman spacewalk! Also on the pod today, the tracking devices that let your teacher monitor your every move, and a new species that might have been discovered in the waters off South America!

Do you have any unusual and amazing talents? How about squawking like a seagull? Today on the pod you'll hear some pretty good impressions of just that... We're also doing some spring cleaning up in outer space, finding out stuff we didn't know about dingoes, and hearing a song that's been written for a special purpose

In today's pod, I tell you how to become a billionaire in a few easy steps! Just kidding. If only it were that easy. We learn about the make-up empire that got Kylie to where she is today, follow the plight of some young protesters in country NSW, shake our heads at all the plastic in the world and listen as two sisters tell the story of their spooky time lost in the woods.

How much salt are you meant to have in a day? The answer may shock you. Also on the pod today, we find out why so many people had pancakes for breakfast, the abandoned suitcase carrying some super-precious cargo, and what happened when a slippery ski lift created a scary snow scenario.

Taco sauce could save your life guys... especially if you leave it lying around in weird places. Also on the pod today, bushfires burning through Victoria, a not-quite-actual astronaut arrives at the International Space Station, the consequences of underestimating female athletes, Tik Tok on the up and up even though some people's vids are vanishing, and the superhero whose kryptonite is... her pet.

Glitter might be festive, but it's also a micro-plastic... which means the Mardi Gras is ditchin' it. Also on the pod today, Donald and Kim's cancelled lunch date, farewelling the hottest summer that ever was, and a young man named Walter whose diligence seriously paid off.

Tik Tok is in the bad books... It's been collecting some info that it shouldn't have! Also on the pod today, we meet Ita Buttrose, the PM gives BTN a shout-out, Sam Kerr is now Captain Sam Kerr to you thank you very much, the surprise elephant baby born at a Belgian Zoo, and a 100 year old whose birthday presents have made him one happy centenarian.

A fat rat in need of help... stat! Thankfully, trained professionals weren't far away. Also on the pod today, the perils of palm oil, how you could win a LOT of money playing (probably) your favourite game, and a statue for fearless girls everywhere.

Why do none of the Disney princesses wear glasses? There's a girl on a mission to find out. Also on the pod today, we chat about whether phones should be allowed in class, find out which country is the healthiest in the world, hear about a new YouTube crackdown, and smother our laughter about the robber who did it all wrong.

Considering a change of hairstyle? Consider.... a mullet! It's (probably) the only hairstyle with a whole festival dedicated to it. Also on the pod today, I give you all the Oscars goss you're after, we inch closer to holidays in space, and the shivering dog that wasn't dog after all.

Massive. Huge pincers. Prominent stinger. Virtually indestructible. Welcome to the bee from your nightmares, returning from the brink of extinction. Also on the pod today, the Aussie teacher in the running to be crowned the best in the world, Cyclone Oma chills out, the unusual sport that could be on our screens at the next Olympics, and the answer to the age old question about zebras and why they're so very stylish.

A guy got so bored he auto-tuned his cat. And other cats don't quite know what to make of it. Also on the pod today, all the latest on Cyclone Oma (which still hasn't decided whether it'll visit Brisbane), some Aussie kids working to bring an endangered language back from the brink, and a tortoise that's poked it's head out to say hello after a hundred or so years of laying low.

A Vietnamese barber is ready to give you the haircut you've always dreamed of... if what you've always dreamed of is to look like Donald Trump or Kim Jong Un. Also on the pod today, some good news for New Yorkers who rock funky locks, we learn about a strange plan to send reality TV overseas, and how it's possible to have a flood without any rain.

Ever think it's kinda boring how car number plates are confined to the alphabet or numbers? Well, good news! Emojis have arrived to spice things up. Also on the pod today, we're talking fair pay for Aussie sports stars, a couple of big balloons that got into strife, and Siberian snow that is like no snow you've seen before...

Climate change isn't going away any time soon, and neither are kids all around the world who are asking their leaders to take action. Also on the pod today, Ariana Grande smashes more music records, a bin in Perth takes its mission into the water, a seven-year-old sprinter runs really, really fast, and an actor in eastern Europe plans a drastic career change.

There's a YouTuber with a conspiracy theory involving pizza and the bad kind of recycling... Also on the pod today, Trumps searches for ways to make his big wall a reality, farmers brace for more fish deaths on the Darling River, and some ancient footprints are saved in the nick of time.

How did Valentines Day begin? It's a bit of a grim tale to be honest. Do do you think it's possible to "own" a dance move? 2 Milly reckons so! Also on the pod today, we marvel at a patch of ground that seems to be on fire, and see what one elderly wildlife park resident has tortoise... I mean taught us, about love.

Heard of blackface? It happened a lot 200 years ago, but as Katy Perry's been reminded, people aren't very cool with it these days. Also on the pod today, we fill you in on an embarrassing day for our federal government, learn you up on the importance of insects, share a sad story about some teeny trees, and have a laugh at the kids whose first language has a distinctly Peppa flavour.

Got any plans for your 90th birthday party? Nah, me neither. But today an Aussie named Bill celebrated by jumping out of a plane... twice! Also on the pod today, a crash course in who Hakeem al-Araibi is and why everyone's so happy to see him, a town in Russia that's been invaded by the cutest cuddliest killers imaginable, and the game that could give Fortnite a run for its money.

Ever wondered how bees actually make honey? Some Aussie kids are finding out, and the answer is... slightly gross. Also on the pod today, we take a look at this year's Grammy winners, find out who Australia's decided to send to Eurovision 2019, and shake our heads a poorly drawn IKEA map.

A museum opens. Everything in it is about you... But you're not allowed in. What's the deal with that? Also on the pod today, some more news from Townsville's big wet, Australia's solar success story, the teenager who's doing some impressive stuff with coloured blocks, and visiting classrooms overseas using the magic of virtual reality.

Today we meet a family that adopted an emu! Well, it's actually more like the emu adopted the family. Also on the pod today, we check out the new emojis on the way, discover how many of you walk to school (and whether it's a good idea), and find out why the Pope might be seriously considering a plant-based change...

Sumatran Tigers are critically endangered, so people are pretty stoked about what's just happened at Taronga Zoo! Also on the pod today, the clean-up in Townsville begins, a school with a mere seven students re-opens in NSW, and we learn a lesson about not believing everything we see on the interwebz.

earnWere you born in 2007? That means your Chinese Zodiac animal is a pig! And that's also true for any babies born within a year of today, the first day of the Chinese New Year. Also on the pod today, there's more bad news about the situation in Townsville, we hear from some Aussie kids on World Safer Internet Day, learn about an ambitious new anti-smoking plan one pollie in Hawaii would like to introduce.

How do you fit 10 million people into one concert venue? EDM artist Marshmello figured out a way... Also on the pod today, we find out about the too-much-water situation going on in Townsville this week, get the results of the 2019 Superbowl, and take to the streets with 270 classic Hollywood movie stars.

Can you imagine boiling water turning to snow in a matter of seconds? That's how cold some spots in America are right now. Also on the pod today, we peer into a funny-looking sinkhole, find out more about the creatures inside the greasy batter beside our hot chips, and rejoice over an unlikely friendship between a runner and a lost doggo.

When you put two Japanese words together, you can often end up with a word that has an entirely different meaning! One celeb found that out the hard way. Also on the pod today, we find out about the chaotic afternoon that unfolded in Sydney's east, learn why thousands of Thai kids are getting the week off school, discover the wonderful scientific art of rewilding.

It's not quite turning your enemy into a cockroach, but it's the next best thing... Also on the pod today, we find out about the bushfires burning out of control in Tassie, find out why this back-to-school week is an especially big deal for a group of kids in Queensland, and gasp in horror at a brush with death in the form of a cute little squish decorated with lovely blue rings...

Today we say a big congrats to the Young Aussie of the Year! Also in this episode, we take a look at why more than a million fish have died near the little town of Menindee, what one group of scientists reckon our biggest health challenges are for the future, and the woman who gets a weird taste in her mouth every time she meets someone new.

So... snakes can get chubby. Who knew? Now the Melbourne Zoo is giving them some #fitnessgoals. Also on the pod today, we check out what some of the country got up to on our national day, find out about Germany's next step in the fight against climate change and catch up on what the world's best tennis player's been up to.

Today we get your advice on how to beat the heat during these crazy-hot days, homes in Victoria are plunged into darkness, a wonderfully grim discovery is made under a train station in London (Sherlock Holmes was not involved), and an annoyingly rich person makes a ridiculously expensive purchase.

Records smashed into fiery oblivion as spots around Oz swelter through their hottest days on record, the Keith Urban fan whose dreams came true at her idol's concert, a young inventor who could be on his way to saving lives at the beach, and the mansion that could belong to you, if you're up to the challenge of convincing the owner to hand it over...

Some of the world's big-wigs do some enviro-realtalk over in Switzerland, the hi-tech new system that recycle stuff bound for landfill, a doggo on birdie patrol at the Sydney Opera House, and fighting fire with fire when it comes to rogue drones.

Australia's First Fleet is set to sail the high seas once again! Well, the Endeavour will, anyway... well, a replica of it will, anyway. Also on the pod today, the rare and beautiful celestial event Aussies weren't allowed in on, the new resident at a wildlife park in NSW (some say he's two-faced, and I can kinda see why), and the ancient stone relic that turned out to be far less exciting than archaeologists first thought.

The great big shutdown that's brought parts of the US to a standstill, a hi-tech way to get medicine to kids in far-flung places, the super-fit Scot who ran her way into the history books, and the world's oldest living man bids farewell to the world he lived in for well over a century.

YouTube cracks down on risky (and often level ten stupid) on-camera behaviour, some dapper dressers pay an unexpected visit to our western shores, the mysteries of the moon's dark side are somewhat revealed, and some very good news for next time that pesky cough just won't go away...

Another week, another Brexit mess... There's a big question mark over the UK's future as the PM struggles to drum up support for her EU deal! Also in today's ep, we gain a new appreciation for our tap water as one Aussie town sees brown, find out how the world's loneliest frog finally scored a date, and confront a tubful of pasta that could outlive us all.

The Aussie pollie with a new jingle that sounds suspiciously like a hit from the 80s, a YouTuber who's incredible vocal chords are catapulting her into stardom, why some of our rivers are full of rotting fish, and the place that's announced a very strange new rule for beach-goers.

How and why your compass might be pulling a sneaky on you, feeling hot hot hot in the Land Down Under, a pop star accused pettiness over his grand pool plans, and the egg blowing up the 'gram right now.

We find out if university graduates are likely to land a job, there's a bunch of bizarre gadgets on show at CES, a very, very tall clock is wowing residents of a town in Western Australia, and a turtle makes a wrong turn down a driveway.

A 64 metre fatberg has horrified an English town, Mungo Man's final resting place is decided, Pauline Hanson wants to hand out 10 cents for caught cane toads, and an adorable dog shows off his wizarding skills.

A near miss for a helicopter pilot, the science behind why we're encountering all those pesky stingers, a deadly assignment from the Australian Reptile Park, and we find out how many of you have read Andy Griffiths this year. A lot, apparently.

Bluebottles have been causing big problems in Queensland, we find out why you'll need great school marks if you want to be a teacher, the oldest person ever may not be quite as old as we think, and raccoon therapy is apparently a thing in Russia.

Why pets and babies might be a very healthy mix, people are calling for Disney to drop its "Hakuna Matata" trademark, we find out the richest celebrities of 2018, and NBA star Lebron James gives some heartwarming advice.

Fortnite's owners are being sued over dance moves, hot weather's proved to be bad news for bats, why 90.5 could be the most important number of the year, and a three year old does the American national anthem justice.

Fans of YouTube Star PewDiePie have gone to some pretty extreme lengths to bring in new fans, Wild weather hits parts of Australia's east coast, A 4400 year old tomb discovered in Egypt, What did kids want for Christmas 100 years ago, And a parrot in the UK helps his owner with their Christmas shopping.

The hidden underwater worlds our carbon is sinking into, we get one step closer to vacationing in outer space, the most Googled stuff of the year, and an audio mash-up showing a weird similarity between two top-notch tunes.

The NSW Government announces that mobile phones will banned in all primary schools from next year, A billion cockroaches used to fight food waste in China, A potentially fake light saber goes up for auction for thousands of dollars, And we reveal the fastest moving animal in the world.

Australia's Space Agency headquarters are unveiled in Adelaide, Kids making solar lights to help people who don't have access to electricity, Melbourne trees get sent thousands of love letters, And A women reunited with her wedding ring that she lost 9 years ago.

You can lead a space robot to water, but you'd have a hard time making it drink... Osiris Rex is already making some epic discoveries! Also today, we're talking about Tassie paving the way for new paving, Santa landing himself on the wrong side of the law, and the horror that is an animal with another animal stuck up its nose.

We check out why there have been protests in France, Antarctica is hiring 150 people for some cool jobs, 16 year old Luke tells us why bees are important, And the Kansas City Symphony break a world record.

The low-down on Brexit ahead of a big vote next week, whether we should put a tax on sugar to curb obesity, the American kid who took it on himself to change an outdated law about snowball fights, and a sick kid whose cricket wish came true.

Changes to some of our privacy laws on the horizon, we chat to a young altruistic Aussie on International Volunteer Day, the winners of this year's PM Literary Prizes, and an interesting idea being floated that could see kids starting school earlier, or much later, than usual!

We check out the YouTube rich-list for 2018, what you reckon about an ABC journo being booted from parliament for failing to meet the dress code, the big names and important goings-on at COP24, and the moment 35 thousand teddy bears decided to go for a joy flight over an ice hockey game.

We chat to triple j newsreader Nas Campanella on International Day of People With Disability, making progress in our war against single-use plastics (as well as an area where there's definitely room for improvement), a thrill-seeking mum aiming for the Grand Slam Seven-Seven, and the clumsy boyfriend who dropped something he definitely shouldn't have dropped when his nerves got the better of him.

The message Aussie kids are sending to our leaders about climate change, a list of weird and wacky things being added to our "cultural" heritage list, and the very unlikely basketball team over in the US.

Queenslanders leave their homes as fires burn across the state, we check out some of our best Aussie artists who cleaned up at this year's ARIAs, why schoolkids in SA got half a day off today, and the brothers who sprang into action when most of us would've just freaked.

Mother nature saturates Sydney and sparks some serious chaos, bad news about that promise Australia made to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we find out what's worrying young Aussies these days, and a bunch of brave researchers who took on one of life's big unanswered questions...

The "mother of native title" Bonita Mabo dies (and leaves behind an inspiring legacy), the InSight lander makes a successful touch-down on the red planet and gets ready to dig, Steph Gilmore wins yet another surfing title and becomes even more of a legend, and the UK town that wants to ban silent discos because they're too loud!

We find out what Aussie kids find essential to their health and well-being, Jael Wena does us proud at the Junior Eurovision contest, and the guy who insists he wasn't chatting on the phone behind the wheel, just snacking on some junk food.

The leaning tower of Pisa starts to straighten up, Aussies move up to the top of the global rich list (so why isn't my piggy bank fuller.... hmph), Victoria announces that more preschoolers will soon be learning to sign, and Nicki Minaj spends Thanksgiving with some plucked birds and friendly locals.

A new study’s found some games could be encouraging kids to gamble, a rocket blasts off from outback Queensland, a school project involving robots aims to help native wombats, and a teenager in Germany loses his licence after just getting it, but why?

Happy Birthday to our cosmic space station, a soccer legend hangs up his boots, the giant belly of plastic that washed up on a beach of our northern neighbour, and a guy in America who brings together a special Thanksgiving family every year.

Why the world is wearing blue today, some good news for kids with super serious peanut allergies, scientists investigate the reason behind what comes out of a wombat's behind, and a couple of Russian traffic cops get creative when they spot a fire in their town.

The somewhat unsettling end to this year's APEC summit, a big discovery in an Egyptian tomb that has archaeologists feline pretty excited, India's new hospital for supersized herbivores, and the parrot spreading panic over at the fire department.

VIPs converge on PNG for chats about GDP, the flowery foliage described as smelling like "rotten fish, stinky cheese, rotten cabbage and an old diaper", the contextually felxible word of the year, and a seemingly innocent question about pizza toppings that sparked an all-out interwebz war.

Some good news for our hairy mountain-dwelling relatives, discovering planet buddies beyond our solar system, a crispy world record straight out of a toasty warm oven, how it's possible to have something taken away... even if you never had it in the first place... and the sausage debate that's got Aussie barbecue-lovers on the brink of a meltdown.

Who decided how heavy a kilogram should be (and other questions you never even thought to ask), the cashless revolution that could be about to encroach on your weekend shopping sprees, and a teenager who's landed himself a pretty impressive job.

The creator of some of our favourite Marvel characters dies at a ripe old age, why all the flatback turtles in the NT are being born female, Foodbank breathes a sigh of relief as the government agrees to give their funding back, and the unconventional wedding the groom's mother refused to attend.

A brave man with a trolley who intervened in a scary incident in Melbourne, conjoined twin sisters who won't have to spend their lives joined at the hip anymore, Foodbank says its funding cut is bad news for some Aussie families, and a very chocolatey discovery that could mean the sweet stuff's been around for longer than we thought.

The Parker Probe gets closer to the sun than literally anything else from earth has ever been, why you should update your apps and head out into a swamp somewhere, and the big spender in the UK who's been asked to explain her extravagant lifestyle.

An update on the midterms... Things are about to get tougher for Trump! Bill Gates branches into a new business that might surprise you, the odd things being found in the bellies of our Aussie wildlife, and what may possibly be the best job that's ever existed.

We almost got a new country over the weekend! But only almost. I get your take on whether celebs should get political every once in a while, one of the most hardcore dudes who ever lived risks losing multiple body parts on a swim around the UK, and the teenager who didn't let his stammer hold him back.

People making the long journey from their Central American homes into the US are told they won't be welcomed in, Lightning Bolt Usain's football career comes to a swift close, why you should be taking a closer look at your one dollar coins, and a band that's landed their big break just a few years too early...

We suss out World Vegan Day and why it might be a good idea to swap your chicken for chick peas every once in a while, people with spinal injuries learn to walk again with the help of some very clever European scientists, NASA's Kepler space telescope begins a comfy retirement floating around the sun, and Aussie pollies come up with a simple solution to unwanted swooping.

Happy Halloween! Why is Halloween even a thing? Allow me to explain... We also get some good news about a deadly disease that's been wiped out in Oz, some bad news about the state of the world's wildlife population, and some weird news about a guy who went for a sail in a pumpkin boat.

The not-so-fresh air that's making kids around the world sick, a Japanese princess gives up her royal title in the name of love, the museum that requires a seriously tough stomach, and why 50 humanoid bananas took over the streets of Fremantle for a night.

The experts call for a change in Aussie cricket culture, messages in the media impacting boys and body image, a boat made out of 100 per cent recycled plastic, and a 20-year grudge that's still generating some serious acts of sabotage.

A national drought summit in Canberra comes up with a way to help farmers into the future, why computer games could be vital for classrooms of the future, more evidence that you really should listen to your parentals when they tell you to eat your veggies, and the innovative way Japan's trying to get more visitors to their temples.

The EU decides to pull the pin on single-use plastics, we meet a boy who's looking after his dad with such love that you may be reaching for the tissues, true sportsmanship on display at the Aussie Invictus games, and the English robber who has a 'friendly' doppelganger...

Why lots of Tassie schoolkids got an early mark today, the plan that might make forgetting to put the bins out slightly more complicated, kids in WA clown around in the name of self-improvement, and the sea lion that chose the exact wrong place to take a nap.

A group of kids has been moved to Nauru to Australia to get the medical treatment a lot of doctors say they need, we find out who won the NAPLAN (even though it's not a competition), the longest sea bridge in the world is unveiled, and what happens when something's been under constructed for nearly a century and a half without its paperwork in order?!

Our PM says sorry to people in Australia who were let down by the institutions that were meant to protect them when they were kids, why 23 kids read books upside down next to toilets in a park today, the headless chicken monster lurking in the cold corners of our deep blue sea, and the problems with playing dress-up games with chickens.

Voters get ready to head to the polls to see who'll rule the roost in our ex-PM's electorate, the weird and wonderful gadgets and gizmos of the World Robot Expo, the long-lost GoPro pics found off the coast of the sunshine state, and the only woman in the world who doesn't regret leaving her door unlocked and having strangers traipse through her house.

The brand spankin' new $50 note has officially been released, and it's got some groovy new upgrades! History books might need a re-write after some ancient graffiti was found on a Pompeii wall, an 83 puppeteer (whose characters you've definitely seen before) decides to call it quits at the ripe old age of 83, and the US state with an... original... approach to tourism.

We say farewell to the guy who founded Clean Up Australia Day, the royals spend a day in regional New South Wales, robots inch closer to world domination, one of our favourite authors makes the case for school libraries, and keeping an eye-out for cane toads venturing into our capital.

Some recently wed royals touch down in Oz for our first Invictus Games, why washing your hands is more important than you think, when police get involved in your arts and crafts (and you know you've finally gone too far), and the big blue balls that are the latest craze in fine dining.

A rocket heading for the international space station had to make an emergency landing, Hectic storms in Southern Queensland, Another Royal Wedding at Windsor Castle, And A game of hide and seek goes horribly wrong.

A condition affecting heaps of Aussie kids that you've probably never heard of, a chunk of rock more valuable than most houses, Wimbledon cracks down on dummy-spitting athletes, and the emotional support animal that didn't quite make the grade.

A thousand torches on in protest at our Opera House, touching base about mental health on its international day, Taylor Swift gets political.. and fans respond! And a coupla stories about whales coz we whaley love 'em.

A few little degrees that could have a very big impact, the Dr Who regeneration that signals a new sci-fi frontier, why you shouldn't be too happy about an owl moving in next door, and a two-year-old doing what toddlers do best... causing mischief and mayhem!

Should our country's most famous building be used to advertise stuff? We get you guys to weigh in! A rising star reveals her song pick for Junior Eurovision, the street artist who’s got us all shook with his excellent auction trolling, and the curious case of the reptilian stalker.

Parts of NSW have been finally drenched with rain; This Sunday a lot Aussies will turn their clocks forward by 1 hour; Astronomers think they've found the first ever Exomoon; And an 8 year old girl pulls a Viking sword from a lake in Sweden.

Charities spending millions to get rid of unusable donations, The Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded, CHOICE name and shame the Shonkiest products of 2018, And a council in Sydney cracking down on cats.

There's been another investigation into Australian honey products, The Nobel prize for Physics is handed out, A Dwarf planet named 'The Goblin' is unveiled, And clapping replaced with jazz hands at a University in the UK

I've invented a new ice cream flavour! It's not as popular as I'd hoped. A heart-warming haka almost brings a tough footballer to tears, we explore the plight of the elusive tree kangaroo (yes, it's a thing), and one of the weirdest things nature's ever done, involving a seal, an octopus and a very confused kayaker.

Some Aussie brands give us a helping hand when it comes to keeping stuff out of landfill, a furry new police recruit whose very hoppy to be reporting for duty, we find out what turned that orange purple a while ago, UV protection (but make it fashun), and why thousands of chip packets have ended up in the UK mail.

Our PM's got a new idea for a public holiday... but not everyone's keen on the idea, the Indonesian teen that survived a month and a half on the open waters, how you can become the best Scrabble of all time (good luck beating me though), the case of the disappearing meerkat, and the travellers in Switzerland who got treated to a show when their flight was delayed.

Two mini space bots on an asteroid dig for answers about the origins of our solar system, some hardcore sparrows escape death by poisoning (Darwinian style!), the big loud crowd that interrupted a cricket game to demand front row seats, and how I lost all my holiday spending money in Venice.

School funding might not be a glamorous topic, but it's one that affects you a whole heap so I'm telling you a bit about it, scientists reckon they've discovered the first animal there ever was, the Aussie language Auslan and why it's a big deal this week, and a dude whose love of alligators knows no bounds...

Malaysia's ex-PM gets arrested... again... A vet up in Brissie welcomes home his long lost dinosaur Steven, an inflatable animal hospital gets ready for fire season, a Japanese billionaire announces he's taking a holiday into outer space, and the sign company that just had one job and failed rather spectacularly.

This whole needles-in-strawberries business (and why you shouldn't stress), the wonderful and wacky Talk Like A Pirate Day, we take a dive into the world of competitive skipping, and why a very well-worn alleyway ain't getting fixed anytime soon.

The poisonous products being pushed by our insta-famous influencers, Cooper's big win at an overseas wakeboarding championships, why you shouldn't have your first driving lesson anywhere near a swimming pool (you can see where that one's going...) and we meet someone who's putting their super memory to good use.

The US braces for Hurricane Florence, How plastic pollution is killing our sea turtles, Aussie basketballer Liz Cambidge makes the cut for the WNA's all star team, And the UK is getting ready to send thousands of worms to space.

We all love to squeeze a squishy, but what exactly are those things made of? An Aussie zoo gets a special visit from a Kenyan ranger, we let you in on our anti-swooping secrets for magpie season, and the tree that was extinct before it was even properly discovered!

The Aussie cartoonist in hot water over his tennis cartoon, where you go to learn about your world (um, why wasn't this podcast top of the list BTW?), why we should be replacing our burgers with bugs (bug burgers are okay too), and the pet craze that Scotland's decide to put an end to once and for all.

A giant tube is on it's way to clean up a massive garbage patch in the pacific ocean, A media Literacy conference held in Hobart to tackle fake news, And miners in WA discover 15 Million dollars worth of gold.

Tears and tantrums at the US open Final, Japan has a crack at getting commercial whaling back on the cards (but the Aussie government doesn't approve), the prom queen who's almost had to miss the dance for a big match, and the thing that many pizza-loving Russians now have in common.

We give you the lowdown on the results of your Kids Rights survey (thanks to the 22,000 of you who filled that out BTW), new laws in the US that mean it's not a crime to spend a night sleeping rough, the purple oranges that are as confusing as they are cool, an earworm that will actually follow your brain around forever from now on, and the mystery that landed Trevor all alone in a muddy puddle.

The fire season that's shaping up to be a real doozy, the blue macaw that may soon only exist on our movie screens, good news for our female surfing champs, and why instagrammers are the reason we can't have nice things.

A typhoon sweeps through Japan and makes a big mess, we meet Josh the insanely good ballet dancer, the sparkly slippers that slipped away suspiciously, then resurfaced, and one very lost little kangaroo.

Our new boss of foreign affairs takes a trip to Nauru, honey that costs serious money... and why you might not be getting the sweet goo you paid for, the very very good pooch that raised the alarm in the nick of time, and some fish in the Middle East that were... Even fishier than usual.

A cool underwater robot's unleashed on the Great Barrier Reef, why a good night's sleep is probably a better option than an energy drink, the oyster that really went above and beyond its job description, and the guys whose lame cheating didn't work even a little bit.

Rohinga refugees find a voice in the form of an Aussie movie star, our country's top scientists (young and old!) celebrate a big awards night, turns out goats love it when we put smiles on our dials, we meet a 12 year old clown who's gotta juggle school as well, and the weird gross pink lumpy things one guy found on a beach up north.

Some Queenslanders discover their pristine waterways ain't so pristine after all, why play time is more than just fun and games, the commotion in the sky last night that probably wasn't aliens, a hotdog vendor that got on the wrong size of a buzzy squad, and teachers going rogue with lemonade.

After a long, patient wait, we finally get our NAPLAN results! Some of the weird and wonderful things being found buried underneath Melbourne's CBD, the difference one decimal point can make to your bank account, and the strong-smelling delicacy that has fruit lovers in China losing their minds.

We find out about our new cabinet (clue: it's not the one I got at an antique shop), a politician in the US who reckons she's got friends of the extra-terrestrial variety, why some experts are recommending we scrap-lan the NAPLAN, a competitive cat-suit gets a French thumbs down, and the very unlikely cross-species friendship.

Introducing our new Prime Minister, why we should maybe be preparing for war in outer space, P!nk comforts a fan mid-concert, and a bunch of Aussie officials caught out using terrible, easy to guess passwords.

An update on the drama unfolding up at Parliament House right now, why an Aussie Travel company's landed itself in big big trouble, the very unturtle-y turtles of prehistoric times, a new semi-scientific defense for laziness (if you happen to be a fossilized pipi), and a crocodile who has a lot of questions to answer.

The fight for the top job continues, we find out some of the issues hiding in kids' picture books, the Egyptian cheese that outlived all the ancient Egyptians, and the underwhelming truth about playing Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in Venezuela.

A fight over Australia's top job in the house on the hill, why we need to get more devil babies into the world, the world's fastest human has a birthday and decides it's "new age, new me", the problem with trusting robots, and what five million bucks could buy you in Vancouver (don't get excited).

Heavy rain does some serious damage in the south of India, a giant puzzle with thousands of pieces will let you get a glimpse of our giant blue friends close-up, why you should consider a career operating hot air balloons, how a party on a cruise ship became one woman's worst nightmare, and the reason everyone's allowed to eat pupcakes... I mean cupcakes... today.

Firefighters in NSW battle big blazes, the weird places our E-waste ends up, a collection of the world's wackiest robots on display, and how much would you cough up for a pack of Pokemon cards twice as old as you?

The WA Government announces its latest in shark prevention, The CSIRO has a new Chief Scientist, Good news for Eastern black rhinos, and a neighbourhood in Slovakia who have been listening to the same song for 16 years.

Some schools in WA decide to ban homework, a clever little robot headed somewhere deep, dark and cold, some of Australia's best Indigenous artists pick up music awards, a skater's dad brings his wildest dreams to life in their backyard, and a guy is driven nuts by a tiny menacing woodland creature.

NASA's next mission is set to be pretty warm, we give you the latest about what's going on in Lombok, why our Christmas trees might be looking slightly odd this Christmas, and it's the king of the jungle's day to proudly prowl.

A reminder not to take our safe places for granted in National Homelessness Week, cars that run on a gas created with water and wind power, one Aussie dentist's epic tooth-fixing effort, and why the staff at one particular fast food shop in London are probs having a reeeeaally bad day.

Things are heating up! And not in a good way... The three-month wait for NAPLAN results is extended, a man's wedding is interrupted by a very rude drowning person, and international cat day marks four thousand years or so worshipping our feline friends.

Australia's population reaches a massive milestone ahead of schedule, the era of snow days comes to an end, Aussie bees set scientists abuzz with promises of fantastic eco-plastic, and a different little insect ruins weeks of prep for a world record attempt.

A couple of big earthquakes under Lombok topple buildings and cause chaos, a bus company tells kids they can't ride alone anymore, a girl in the US finds a new home for a mountain of stuff bound for landfill, and two crafty old friends embark on a mission to the mosh pit.

We find out about a festival that's just kicked off in North East Arnhem Land, Aussie firefighters back their bags for California, NASA sets out on it's hottest mission to date, and a gang of pups that found themselves stranded on an island.

Coles decides to push ahead with its bag ban after all, a maths whizz-kid grows up to be a maths whizz-grown-up, strange new rules in China that are changing people's post-death plans, an Aussie space enthusiast touches down after an intergalactic journey, and an argument about dogs that got seriously weird.

A big mystery... keeps being mysterious, scientists try to figure out why penguin numbers are plummeting, a stray dog finishes a half marathon (and it just may have saved his life!), and a woman takes a company to court over their spurious ginger claims.

Meet the sisters who are used to super early wake-ups on the farm, what happened with all those by-elections over the weekend, an experiment that has scientists raising their eyebrows, and a fellow who wriggled his way to a weird world record.

A island in Vanuatu evacuates (again!), why the moon will be looking very appealing to vampires tonight, all the things you can do to say thanks to a tree this weekend, and the zebra that just... wasn't quite right.

Some big changes in our media as Nine and Fairfax join forces, an exciting discovery as the search for life on Mars goes on, yet another weird incident at the Tour de France, and the world's best babysitter managing her job like a boss.

Some crazy antics unfold at the Tour De France, a Sydney museum shows us how not to throw a fundraiser, the groovy lil system that gets the leftovers from a cafe coffee growing the avo for your toast, a couple of hundred elephants receive an eviction notice, and a massive rescue effort to save a little toy bunny from a smelly garbage grave.

Massive fires rip through Greece while neighbouring countries offer their help, uniform rules change for girls at NSW public schools, some ways to stress less on the national day of chilling out, and redheads unite in a march to celebrate their recessive ranga gene.

The UN wants to know what you think about your rights, whale sharks turn out to be quite a bit more whale-like than we first thought, a teenager lends a hand in a daring rescue operation and an Aussie whose workout regime is definitely more hectic than yours.

The underwater treasure stash that could make its finders VERY rich, a pod of dolphins who needed some help escaping from a sandy lagoon, a new (but also really old) dinosaur gets a funky name, and the little penguin who was hatched early by a clumsy parent.

The boys rescued from a Thai cave front the paparazzi, a community decides that six cats is just too many cats, the fishy smell set to hit a Tassie town, and just the thing you need when your crammed onto a stinky train in 35 degree heat.

The controversial proposal making waves at Bondi, how you could become the Gold Coast's latest attraction, what the world's oldest bread tastes like, and a basketballer who doesn't quite understand the concept of an 'emergency.'

Donald and Vlad hang out in Helsinki, what on earth we're gonna do about all these people everywhere, one of football's legends calls it quits after his 50th goal for Oz, the twins who joined forces in a brave water rescue, and we find out about your fave emojis.

France celebrates an epic World Cup win, what you would've eaten for dinner 5 and a half thousand years ago, the giant iceberg making waves (... literally!), we chat to legendary kids author Morris Gleitzman, and why everyone's dying for a view of the Bavarian Alps.

Donald Trump prepares to meet Her Royal Highness, the kids keeping a precious indigenous language alive, the temple that was hiding in plain sight (spoiler... under another temple!) and the karate kid who's belting up.

The countdown's on to a World Cup climax, how rats manage to destroy fish without dipping so much as a whisker in the water, a determined young Aussie lands himself the old-fashioned job of his dreams, an escape room so effective it helped catch a crim, and what happens when you let your personal hygiene go for a few decades.

Twelve rescued soccer players recover in hospital, some staggering stats for World Population Day, why the oldies might be kinda right about kids these days, and which songs your garden critters would pick if anyone ever let them choose.

Most of the soccer team's out safe but heavy rain is on the way, the oldest ever colour is found in under the desert sands of Africa, an Aussie zoo gives a confectionary company the flick on behalf of orangutans, and a crafty panda who found a clever way to get more snacks.

Australia's NAIDOC Week is all about strong indigenous women, four soccer players rescued from the watery depths of a Thai cave, Japan waits for the clouds to clear as it battles through a massive flood, and some little endangered sea critters get their very own five-star hotels.

A diver runs out of oxygen trying to rescue the stranded Thai soccer team, the mega-croc that hunted giant wombats, girls with afros celebrate their wild and wonderful manes, the most terrifying wasp in the world, and a guy tries turning mouldy fast food into fast cash.

Parts of the world you really don't want a mozzie bite, Americans downing hot-dogs faster than you can say "Declaration of Independence", the shark that no-one wanted to hang with, and the dunny that could soon be diagnosing you!

Some creative plans for how exactly to rescue the stranded Thai soccer team, kids getting lonelier despite being super connected, a nuclear Superman gets past the guards, and the puppy ball to relieve your World Cup stress-outs.

A young soccer team and their coach are found alive after missing for a whopping nine days in a Thai cave, what Australia's doing to make sure our World Cup performance improves over time, the epic B-ball brawl that had commentators at a loss for words, a man fights off sharks as he crosses the Tasman sea in a kayak, and a stork that delivered something much less adorable than a baby...

Mexico's new president, the new hi-tech test to let you know if a croc's about to have you for lunch, the cracker night that went off with many bangs (and a few hospital trips), the rocket launch that was an epic fail, a big effort to rescue a lil scared pup, and why tonight's the night you could meet a real life alien (but probably not).

Everyone's favourite flying broomstick sport weaves some magic into the muggle world, you guys have your say on France's plans to force teens to spend holidays volunteering, party people in the NT warned not to do anything silly with their few hours of fireworks fun, and the world's fattest hedgehog decides to shed some kay gees.

The UK swelters through a heatwave most Aussies would be grateful for right about now, France makes community service compulsory for teens, the young baseball champs off to the big leagues, and a train with a very subtle theme... Not!

The Socceroos get bumped out of the cup, Japan's half-time toilet troubles, why your sunnies should really also be called cloudies, the rich Russian scientist laying claim to a kingdom in outer space, and Barbie gets a brainy upgrade.

A push to get more Aussies onto our screens (and into our hearts), planes with no pilots set to patrol our borders from the skies, the little birdie that has Canada's biggest festival on hold, and the friendly teenager whose mid-flight kindness made the world smile.